Carlsbad planning commission approves manhole rehabilitation in Poinsettia Station preserve

The Carlsbad Planning Commission on March 19 approved two resolutions — adopting a mitigated negative declaration and granting permits — for the Ponce Seward Manhole Rehabilitation Project, a maintenance effort to rehabilitate nine sewer manholes in the North County Transit District right-of-way near Poinsettia Station. The commission voted 6-0 (one commissioner absent) to approve the project.

City staff told the commission the project is aimed at preventing potential sewer leaks, spills or structural failure. "The 9 existing sewer manholes are approximately 50 years old and have been assessed by wastewater operations to be rehabilitated," Associate Planner Shelly Glennon said during the staff presentation. Staff recommended approval after concluding the project would be consistent with the General Plan, zoning, the local coastal program and the California Environmental Quality Act with mitigation measures incorporated.

The project covers work at nine manhole locations across four parcels totaling about 3.29 acres; temporary construction impacts are limited to about 0.13 acres, staff said. Most work will be performed inside the existing manholes: interiors will be pressure-washed, internal cracks repaired and walls relined with a spray liner. Aboveground changes will be limited. "There is no vertical development being proposed," Glennon said. "It's just the existing…